Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting:

If you were stuck in an elevator, whom would you like to be stuck with?

I know just the person.

Who?

I’d like to be stuck with someone who knew how to fix elevators.

Driving by the Bruces

I have two wonderful neighbors — both named Bruce — who live across the road from each other. Whenever I pass their driveways, thoughts occur to me, such as: the driver using a cellphone has the right of way.

An odyssey

Skagway, Alaska, is the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. I wasn’t there in 1898, but I’ve been there when five cruise ships were docked. Skagway has a population of 920, but there must have been 10,000 people wandering around the city. Skagway is four blocks wide and 16 blocks long. A brochure said 378 cruise ships would be docking there during the year bringing in about 750,000 tourists.

In 1982, the first McDonald’s opened in Juneau, about 95 miles by air to the south of Skagway. Juneau isn’t accessible by road, so the residents of Skagway arranged for two medevac planes to pick up an $800 order of Big Macs and fries from Juneau. The wind chill factor was said to have been 40 below zero as 200 people waited at the Skagway airport for the return of the Big Mac Medevac. The airplanes had a police escort as they moved down the runway. The school band played “Old McDonald had a Farm” after thawing their instruments. The pilots rushed the food into the terminal for distribution.

A fellow involved in the travel industry told me that 16 million people fly around the Thanksgiving holiday. He said that before and after Thanksgiving, one in four travelers would have their flights delayed or canceled.

I stopped at a house in the city of Hartland to break bread with family. Hartland is a gated community. It’s gated in order to keep people from leaving. There was pie there. I love pie. I suppose I’ve had bad pie, but I don’t remember it. I’ve often wondered why we need cake when we have pie.

Whether it is gold, a cruise, a Big Mac or a pie that you crave, remember to be thankful for the journey — even if it involves delays.

Customer comments

Earl Jacobsen of Albert Lea said that the temperature seems to get down to 40 degrees much quicker than it gets up to 40 degrees.

Gene Strong of Haines, Alaska, likes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He calls a PBJ a “schoolboy sandwich” and lutefisk “road-killed fish.”

Gary Crumb of Matawan lamented, “Baldness came early and stayed late.”

Jack Madsen of Mankato wrote this, “Thoreau wrote, ‘The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.’ I say, ‘Blessed is the man who enjoys his life and gives thanks for it every day.’”

Ailene Williams of Waverly, Alabama, said that when she was a girl, her father told her that if she wanted a diamond ring, she didn’t need to get married. He’d buy her one.

Karen Daniels of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, is semi-retired. She keeps busy, but her activities sometimes tire her. Her friend, Val, reminded her that she was no longer 38. Karen said that came as quite a shock.

Roger Batt of Algona sent this wonderful blessing, “May your troubles be less. May your blessings be more. May nothing but happiness come through your door.”

Talking with the Holstein

The Holstein is a retired dairy cow, so she has time to talk. I told her that I have a sentimental longing for things, places and people belonging to the past.

The Holstein chewed her cud thoughtfully before saying, “Me, too, but not as often as I once did. Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.”